| Date of Review |
December 2006 |
| Manufacturer |
Nautilus Models |
| Subject |
USS Haddo Conversion |
| Scale |
1/144 |
| Kit Number |
144001 |
| Media |
Resin/Laser-Cut Wood |
| Pros |
Significant detail improvement for the
Trumpeter Gato-class boat |
| Cons |
|
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| MSRP (USD) |
$45.00 |
Nautilus Models has released two very nice detail sets for the
equally nice Trumpeter 1/144 USS Gato submarine kit (see the review
here, and the build-up
review here).
This release converts the early-war USS Gato (as depicted by Trumpeter)
into the USS Haddo circa mid-1942.
The new superstructure is a drop-in replacement for the Trumpeter
subassembly and provides the cut-down aft gun deck of the Haddo
as well as some nicely done details.
The set also includes a laser-cut wood deck for the gun deck.
If you've seen Nautilus Models' flight decks for the Trumpeter
aircraft carriers, you'll know that this really adds some nice
detail to the model.
Check out the images to the right. The laser-cut deck is a drop-in
fit onto the lower portion of the conning tower and has properly
sized holes to accommodate the pressure hatch and periscope/antenna
masts. We've been stuck in the styrene/photo-etch/resin kit and
detail set world for so long that it is surprising to see just
how nice a laser-cut wood deck looks, even unfinished!
The resin parts provide the exposed periscopes and antenna masts
for the exposed periscope shear superstructure. The detail set also includes
the enclosed version periscope shear structure (in case you'd like
to backdate the boat). The appropriate anti-aircraft and deck guns
used on the Haddo are also included.
This is a nicely done enhancement for the Trumpeter Gato kit.
If you stop by their website, you'll see a variety of other conversions
available for the Trumpeter kit. Look for many of these conversions
to be scaled up for the new 1/72 Revell Gato, but unless you have
lots of display space, you can enjoy a wide variety of Tambor/Gato-class
boats in 1/144 with the help of Nautilus Models. Check out their
photo-etch detail set for the Gato here.
My sincere thanks to Nautilus
Models for this review sample!
These items are available directly from their website:
Nautilus Models
1474 Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30062
USA
email:nautilusmodels@bellsouth.net
www.nautilusmodels.com
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